Printing apparatus



Jan. 4, 1944. E. KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July21, 1939 0 m QM Il Jam 4, 1944.

4 E. KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS Filed July 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2[are/liar Wil a/ways Jan. 4, 1944. E. KQMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS FiledJuly 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Em: mmmw wmw a moov z Om r aw 2 A AInvemor Filo/megs iiso Jan. 4, 1944. E. KOMUSIN PRINTING APPARATUS 4Shets-Sheet 4 Filed July 21, 1939 Inventor M Fzfomeys Patented Jan. 4,1944 PRINTING APPARATUS Erich Komusin, Frankfurt-on-the-Main, Germany;vested in the Alien Property Custodian Application July 21, 1939, SerialNo. 285,684 In Germany July 30, 1938 3 Claims.

This invention relates to postage machines having a printing device, forexample, machines which make an imprint on postal and other packets orthe like indicating the postage or the amount of the carriage fee and inwhich the value of the imprint is adjustable by the user for eachpacket. Machines of this type are usually provided with a check-readingdevice from which the total expense incurred by the user can beascertained. The invention is concerned with a novel and improvedconstruction of the checkreading device of such a machine whereby theamount to be charged to the user is determined in a straightforward andsimple manner and whereby fradulent operation of the mechanism isprevented.

According to the invention the franking machine is provided with aprinting device controlled by a meter and having a channel for insertinga card or form to the register wheels of the printing device and alocking device for preventing both the insertion of a card or form insaid channel and the actuation of the stamp of said printing device. Arecord indicating the total value of the imprints made can be obtainedfrom the integrating mechanism after opening the locking device.

The locking device prevents any fraudulent operation of the mechanism onthe part of the user, but allows an ofiicial who has an appropriate keyto open the device at regular interval of time and make out an accountfrom the recorded readings. Alternatively, the readings can be recordeddirect onto an appropriately designed account form from which the amountdue may at once be determined and acknowledged by the signature of theuser. By fixing a period for the settlement of the account, the riskcarried by the authorities is lessened without the necessity forproviding special locking devices to prevent further use of the machineafter the amount owed by the user ha reached a certain total.

In order that the invention may be properly understood and be morereadily carried into ef fect, some examples of a franking machine inaccordance therewith will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show a franking machine with a check-reading device indiiierent operating positions.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of construction of a device forlocking the check-reading device.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a further alternative form of construction oflocking device in plan and in front and side elevation.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the locking mechanism of a check-reading devicein which the stamp is automatically actuated.

Figure 10 shows a check reading device which can be re-set to zero, and

Figure 11 shows an account form.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the frankingmachine A is provided with register Wheels 6 of a conventionalintegrating mechanism, which sums up the values of the individualimprints made at each operation. A gear wheel I is connected to one ofthe wheels 6, and drives a gear wheel 5 which engages with a gear wheel4 connected to the first numeral or type drum 2 of a printer mechanism.The numeral drums 2 of the printer mechanism are mounted on a spindle 3,and are driven in step with the corresponding drums B of the integratingmechanism. They carry printing types which are inked by an ink ribbon 8which runs over guide rolls 9. In front of the mechanism 2 is a pocketIt into which a card or form 68 may be inserted through an opening i inthe upper wall of the franking machine A. The side wall B of thefranking machine carries a bracket l2, freely mounted in which is a rod13 having a stamp M at one end and a press-button It at the other. Aspring l5 which is wound round the pin it normally holds the stamp I 1out of contact with the type drum 2 of the printer mechanism. When thebutton it is depressed the stam it passes through an appropriateaperture Ida in the pocket it and presses the form 60 against the typeof the recording mechanism 2. A record is then obtained on the form 59according to the sum indicated by the integrating mechanism ii.

The opening l l is normally closed as shown in Figure 2 by a shutter ii.This shutter i7 slides on a rod it which is attached to a cross oar 2|.A sliding member 2i! is also mounted on the rod it and normally holdsthe shutter il in the closed position against the action of a spring 19.This sliding member 2% is normally engaged or held in the position shownin Fig. 2 by a bracket 2!; on a cover 25 which cover is attached byhinges to the side wall B. When the cover 25 is closed, an extension 24of the cover 25 lies behind the nose 22 of a latch or locking lever 23so that the cover cannot be opened, said latch being yieldably held inthe position shown in Figures land 2 by means of leaf spring 25a. Whenthe cover is being closed the lower end of projection 24 strikes thebeveled surface 22a of nose portion 22 and thusv rotates latch 23 in aclockwise manner in opposition to spring 23a until the projection isallowed to clear the nose portion, after which the latch snaps back tothe latched position shown and the cover is locked. The cover has aperforation 28 in front of the locking lever 23, but this is normallyclosed by a seal so held in a frame 21 on the inside of the cover 25. Itis thus impossible to open the cover 25 by pressure on the locking lever23 without first breaking the seal 30. When the cover 25 is opened, thebracket 29 releases the sliding member 29 and the shutter IT is forcedalong the rod 58 by the spring I9. The form (it may now be insertedthrough the opening II into the pocket It. and can then be pressedagainst the type drums of the recording mechanism 2 by actuation of thstamp 24 A record of the setting of the recording mechanism is thusobtained.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figure 3, which correspondsin other respects to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover 25 has anextension 26 which covers the inlet aperture H in the closed position ofthe cover. The type drums 2 of the recording or printer mechanism 2 areinked by a roller 3i instead of by a ribbon.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 a lock ll ismounted in the side wall C of the franking machine A. The lock 4! has anarm 42 which engages with two pins 33 on a hood 82. This hood 32 isfreely mounted on the spindle 3 of the recording mechanism 2 and in thenormal position (Figure 6) closes the opening II. The rod i3 whichcarries the stamp 14 passes through a slot 3! in the hood This slot 31is however not wide enough 32. to allow the passage of a collar A! whichis mounted on the rod I3; consequently so long as the hood is in thenormal position the stamp M cannot be operated. When the lock 41 isturned by a suitable key, the arm &2 is pivoted and rotates the hood 32about the spindle 3 so that it releases the opening II. At the same timea broadened end 39 of the slot 3'! comes opposite the collar ll wideenough for the latter to pass through; consequently the stamp I l isfree to move when the button 16 is depressed. The button I 6 isaccessible through an opening in the cover I25. The form is inserted andan imprint obtained as described in connection with Figures l and 2.

A second recording or printer mechanism 44 is mounted on the samespindle 3, the type drums of which may be independently adjustable oralternatively connected to those of the printing mechan sm 2. The stampIt is arranged to press the form against the recording mechanism 44 aswell as the mechanism 2 (Figure 4) and the extra type drums are used forrecording supplementary particulars.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures '7 to 9 the movementof the stamp 14 is effected positively upon the movement of the hood832. The hood S32 is stepped and has a sharp bend 33 (Figure 7). The rodiii of the stamp it passes through a slot 31 in the hood i322. Thecollar I l! on the rod It has a V-shaped taper on the side adjacent tothe hood 132. When the key 43 i turned in the lock M the arm 42 ispivoted and rotates the hood I32 about the spindle 3 so that the hoodwill not block the opening II. At the same time the corner 38 comes intocontact with the oblique or V-shaped surface of the collar I l? anddisplaces the pin Hi to the right against the pressure of the spring H5.A depression 34 in one side wall I35 of the hood I32 is engaged by aprojection 35 under the pressure of a pring 35 so that a resistance isoffered to further rotation of the hood. This position is furtherdefined with reference to the position of the key 413 (Figure 9) by thenumeral I. The form is now inserted and the key 43 is rotated further.The corner 38 of the hood I32 releases the collar I41 and the stamp I4strikes the form against the type drums of the recording mechanism underthe action of the spring H5. The key 23 is rotated back through the sametwo positions; in the first of these the stamp It is withdrawn and theform can then be removed, and in the final position the opening II ire-closed.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figure 10 the gear wheel 4 ofthe printing mechanism 2 is connected to a gear wheel 49 which engageswith a toothed wheel 56. The wheel 50 is connected to milled discs whichare accessible after the removal of the cover 25. By rotating thesemilled discs after taking a check reading, the printing mechanism 2 canbe re-set to zero. In this case the figure recorded by the printing mchanism will correspond to the value of the :m 'int made by the frankingmachine since the last check reading only.

The form 63, on which the official obtains the record from the recordingmechanism 2, can at the same time be in the form of a statement ofaccount. Such a form is shown in Figure 11. The spaces 54. and 558 ofthe form are filled in beforehand at the post ofiice; they contain thenumber of the franking machine and the designation of the owner and userof the apparatus. The space 55 is for the record of the printingmechanism 2 and also that of the mechanism 4% if this is used. Thelatter may be adjusted to the number of the machine, as shown. Theofiicial enters the sum total printed by the mechanism 2 in the space 56together with the date. The total printed at the previous check readingcan already have been entered in this column so that the dinference canbe at once determined from the two entries. The owner of the apparatusacknowledges the correctness of the calculated amount by signing hisname in the space 5i and the oiiicial gives a receipt upon payment ofthe amount due.

When the mechanism 2 has a device for resetting to zero (Figure 10) thespace 55 need have only one line for the entry of the total charge,unless it is preferred to read off the totals from the register wheels 6of the integrating mechanism which is visible from outside, and thenenter these. A further check is then obtained since the difference ofthe two totals ought to agree with the amount recorded by the printingmechanism 2. One or more copying sheets can be bound with the accountform and interleaved with carbon paper. Copies of the entries are thusobtained. Also the space 55 on the form can itself be covered with aflap of carbon paper, in

which case the type drums of the recording mechanism 2, and M if used,do not have to be inked either by an inking ribbon 8 (Figure 1) or by aninking roller 35 (Figure 3) Only the oilicial entrusted by the postalauthorities with the check reading has the key for operating the lock ll(Figures 4.4%) or the ofilcial may operate the apparatus by breaking theseal 30 (Figures 1-3). Since the opening II for insertion of the formBil is normally shut, fraudulent tampering with the mechanism cannot besuccessful, for should such an attempt be made either through breakingthe seal 30 or through damaging the lock, it is at once ascertainable.Since no falsification of the charge is therefore possible, it is nolonger necessary to provide the apparatus with special locking devicesto prevent further use of the machine after the concellation of acertain prepaid amount or after lapse of a certain length of time.

I claim:

1. A postage machine of the character described, comprising incombination a casing, a pocket within said casing adapted to receive acard, printing wheels to print on said card and being disposed adjacentsaid pocket, a movable stamp cooperating with the printing wheels toeffect a printing operation, said casing having a slot communicatingwith said pocket, a press button connected with said stamp andpositioned exteriorly of the casing, a movable cover mounted on thecasing to cover said press button, means coordinated with the movementof the cover for closing said slot, whereby when said cover is moved tocover the press button said slot is closed off.

2. A postage machine as set forth in claim 1 in which means are providedfor locking said cover in place, and wherein said cover has an openingcovered by frangible material, and said locking means is accessiblethrough said opening when the frangible material is broken.

3. A postage machine of the character described, comprising incombination, a casing having a slot therein, a pocket within the casingbehind the slot for receiving a card, printing wheels adjacent thepocket to print on said card, a movable stamp co-acting with theprinting wheels to effect a printing operation, a press button connectedwith the stamp and positioned exteriorly of the casing and a covermovable to render said press button inaccessible, said cover having anextension for closing the slot in said casing when the press button isrendered inaccessible.

ERICH KOMUSIN.

